SUBDUING AND MANIPULATION 67 



is to gorge. We have already seen, that previous to 

 swarming, bees imbibe three or four days' supply of 

 honey, and in consequence are at such times usually 

 quite docile. This is to enable them to commence 

 comb building immediately upon entering their new 

 dwelling. 



The blowing of smoke, or carbolic vapour, into a 

 hive creates instant alarm, and the bee's idea is that 

 its present dwelling is threatened, therefore it behoves 

 each individual bee to provide for the establishment of 

 another dwelling by taking with it as much raw material 

 for comb building as is possible under the circumstances, 

 and the bees become, as at the time of swarming, gorged 

 with honey. It should be understood that the smoke in 

 no sense stupifies the bees ; it is simply intended, by 

 alarming them, to induce them to imbibe honey freely. 



When desirous of opening a hive in order to make an 

 examination, first see that the smoker is in good work- 

 ing order, and burning freely, and after having donned 

 veil and gauntlets, approach the hive to be opened. 

 Gently blow one or two puffs of smoke in at the 

 entrance to drive back the guards, wait a few moments, 

 then lift off the roof, taking great care not to jar the 

 hive in any way. Now, holding the smoker in the right 

 hand, with the left gently raise one corner of the quilt, 

 directing smoke from the smoker on to the top of the 

 frames as they become exposed to view, until the quilt 

 has been entirely removed. The quilt will be found 

 to be more or less firmly glued down to the frames with 

 propolis, but by proceeding slowly, and at the same time 

 firmly, it is possible to remove it without jarring the 

 frames. 



The next operation is to take out the frames one by 

 one for examination. To do this, stand the smoker some- 

 where handy, nozzle upwards. Draw the "dummy" 

 aside, away from the first frame. If firmly propolised 



